Suu Kyi plans talks with Japan’s PM

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to hold talks with Japan's prime minister during her first trip to the country in nearly three decades.

Tokyo - Myanmar's pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will visit Japan from April 13 to April 19, according to a Japanese statement released late on Wednesday.

It will be her first visit to Japan in nearly three decades since her previous stay as a visiting researcher at the prestigious Kyoto University from 1985 to 1986, the Foreign Ministry said in the statement.

She is expected to visit Kyoto, to give speeches at universities, to meet Myanmar nationals living in Japan and to hold talks with Japanese political leaders, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Her visit will come as Japan continues to court newly-liberalised Myanmar as a trading partner.

Unlike many industrialised countries, Japan maintained trade ties and generous aid for Myanmar while it was ruled by a military junta, warning that taking a hard line could push it closer to China.

Tokyo has also gently pressed the country's leaders to listen to voices of those in opposition and the international community.

Since the end of military rule in 2011, Myanmar has made visible efforts to open up to the rest of the world and has lured international firms to start operations in the potentially lucrative market. - Sapa-AFP